Loose-leaf binder.



OLKELLNER, JR-

.LOOSE LEAF BINDER. A'PPLIOATION FILED MAY 18, 1906.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Ilia- Hi5 Z in place between the covers by the improved Uhil iiliili)Trkifll "FAJEENT OFFICE.

UTl'OliELLNER, .llt., Ul" Cllltlititl, lLLlNUlS.

LOOSE-LEAF -BINDER.

Toiallwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'r'ro KnLLnna, Jr., a

- citizen of. the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county ofCook, and State of Ill nois, have invented certain new and uscfulimprovements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of

whichthe following is a specification.

The inventioii relates to loose leaf and other temporary binders andseeks to provide an improved construction of metal ring for such,binders for retaining the loose sheets of paper and the like Within thecovers Of the binders.

The invention consists in the novel fea- T tures of' constructionhereinafter described,

in the drawings, Figure 1- is a perspective view of a loose leaf binderprovided with the improved rings. Fig. 2 isa sectional view thereof.Fig; 3 is an edge view of the improved ring in open position. 'Fig. 4 isa similar view showing the ring in closed position. i v

The binder comprises the covers of any suitable material, butpreferably, of stifi board, connected at their rear edges by a flexibleback 11 of leather or like suitable material. The covers.are providedadjacent their rear edges with eyelets l2 and the loose sheets 13 ofpaper or the like are held fastening rings it which extend through theeyelets l2 and through suitable openings formed in thercar edges of theloose sheets. Each ring 14' comprises a single piece of wire formed offlexible spring metal-preferably mild steel. lhe wire of which the ringis formed is preferably round in section and of small diameter, so thatit is flexible to permit the opening of portions of the ring. The wireis bent to circular-form with its free ends in offset relation, as shownin Fig. The remote or outer faces of the ends of the ring are providedwith outwardly facing. interlocking lugs 15 and notches 16. T he lugsand notches on the opposite ends ofthe ring are of similar torn id soshaped that when interlocked, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and l, a continuousclosed ring of uniform section is formed.

In the open position of the ring shown in Fig. its ends are normallyheld in ofiset relation with the interlocking lugs and notches on theirouter or more remote faces.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Application filed May 18,

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

1906. Serial No. 317,450.

tension of the spring metal body 0 the ring,

then in circumferential direction to their overlapped interlockedposition shown in Fig. 4-. Both the" axial and circumferential movementsof the ends of the ring, which are necessary to interlock the same, takeplace against the tension of the spring metal body of the ring, so thatwhen its ends are interlocked the ring is positively placed both under atorsional and an expansive strain or stress which is then exerted inkeeping the ends firmly interlocked. i

The invention thus provides a simple form of ring which may be verycheaply manufactured, which, may be easily opened for insertion into thebinder and readily closed to prevent displacement oi the sheets or thelike bet ween the covers ofthc binder. hen the free ends are interlockeda closed ring is formed of uniform circular section which will readilyslidethrough the eyelets of the covers and through the openings in thesheets of pa pet or the like between the covers. Moreover, the ring islooked under expansive and torsional strain which is exerted to hold.accidental opening of the ring. As stated, the metal of the ring is ofsmall size so that its ends may be flexed or bent apart, as indicated indotted lines in Fig. 3, if deeyelets 12 of the covers and through the afiexure of the ring merely increases the torsional strain against whichits ends are interlocked and against which the ends are brought togetherand which serves to hold the same in interlocked position. YVith theimproved construction rings of small size for small loose leaf bindersmay be conveniently 'mamifactured.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, isn- 1. A metal ring for loose leaf binders and thelike formed of a single, continuous piece of flexible spring wire havingits ends in open position spaced apart both in axial and circumferentialdirection with their outer or remoteside faces provided withinterlocking lugs and notches, said ends being movable against thetension of the spring metal body of the ring in axial direction pasteach, other and in circumferential direction E The ends of the ring aremovable a ainst the the ends of the ring interlocked and prevents firstin axial direction past each other and sired, for moroready insertionthrough the openings of the sheets or leaves 13. Such to overlapped,interlocked position, as destress to hold the ends securely interlocked.

2. In loose leaf or temporary binders, the combination with the covershaving eyelets adjacent one edge, of metal rings extending through saideyelets, each formed of a single piece of fiexiblespring wire of uniformcross-section having its ends spaced apart both in axial andcircumferentlal direction with theirouter or remote side faces cut awayand provided with interlocking lugs and notches, said ends being movableagainst the'tension of the spring metal body of the 15 placed undertorsional and expansive strain 20 to hold their ends securelyinterlocked.

I OTTO KELLNER, Jig. Witnesses:

KATHARINE GERLACH, LILLIAN PRENTICE.

